LOS ANGELES: Sacred Fools Theater Company has announced the lineup for the 2016-17 season, its 20th. The season is also the first in the company’s new home at 1078 Lillian Way, on Hollywood Theatre Row. Sacred Fools moved into the space in January.
“After taking residence of a four-venue complex on Hollywood Theatre Row this past January, we were tasked with planning a season that factored in new spaces and a growing membership hungry for opportunity,” said artistic director Bryan Bellomo in a statement. “Despite all warnings to the contrary, a small, democratically run theatre of non-dues-paying members has developed into a commanding and artistically boisterous community, and this beautiful ideal has kept the flame of storytelling alive.”
The season will open with the world premiere musical Skullduggery: The Musical Prequel to Hamlet (September-October 2016), by local actor/writer Michael Shaw Fisher. The musical follows the love triangle of Claudius, Gertrude, and Hamlet Sr. Company member Scott Leggett will direct. Michael Teoli will music direct and provide additional music. The show will star John Bobek as Claudius, David Haverty as Hamlet Sr., and Leigh Wulff as Gertrude.
The second show of the season will be another world premiere, the dark comedy Mom’s Dead (November-December 2016), by company member Nathan Wellman. When Mom falls down the stairs, her four adult children must deal with the aftermath without killing each other. Alicia Conway Rock will direct.
Next up will be Rose and the Rime (January-February 2017), by Nathan Allen, Chris Mathews, and Jake Minton. The original fairy tale is set in a town that has been trapped in a perpetual winter, and young Rose sets off to reverse the curse. Company member Jacob Sidney will direct.
The season will close with a science-fiction-themed play adapted from a well-known novel (April-May 2017). The title will be announced at a later date.
Sacred Fools also announced the opening production of its 2017-18 season, which will be Anne Washburn’s Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play. The play is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where people entertain themselves by retelling the “Cape Feare” episode of “The Simpsons.” Company member Jaime Robledo will direct.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sacred Fools will also host 20 free public events throughout the year, called the “20/20 Series.” It will include a partnership with fine art painter Gabe Leonard.
Sacred Fools Theater Company is an ensemble-run organization founded in 1997 and is committed to developing and producing new, challenging works.
